Baron Davis out, rookie PG will start vs. Spurs

Clippers point guard Baron Davis is out with right knee soreness tonight against the Spurs, opening the door for third-stringer Eric Bledsoe — the 18th overall pick in the June draft — to make his first career start.

Randy Foye, the fifth-year guard who would have been Davis’ backup, is also out with a hamstring strain.

Davis had issues with the same knee during training camp.

“He’s got some issues with his knee that he’s been fighting for a while,” coach Vinny Del Negro said.

Like a handful of coaches before him, Del Negro is learning that motivating Davis can be a headache. Davis arrived at camp out of shape, which led to lingering knee soreness.

“Baron has an incredible amount of talent and ability,” Del Negro said. “But his focus needs to be on staying in condition and playing at a high level. He hasn’t done that in a while. We’re here to support him 1000 percent. He just needs to take the leap.”

Davis’ absence leaves the Clippers shorthanded in the backcourt tonight, as they look for their first win of the season against a Spurs team that haven’t beaten since 2006.

Bledsoe, who left Kentucky after his freshman season, logged a total of 22 minutes in the Clippers’ first three games. Eric Gordon, who will technically be the Clippers’ starting shooting guard, is likely to handle the ball more often tonight.